Just a few scenes tonight from some of my wanderings around the Blackland Prairie, all in East Williamson County, Texas. As you might know, the loss of our beautiful landscapes to development is a concern for many of us who live here. As much as possible, I try to capture what I can before it’s too late. The first three images are all along the same stretch of county road. The opening photo, where a house (right) and its barn (left) hold onto their place on this hill, might be my top selection. Perhaps you’d have to see it in person to appreciate it. The second photo is a nice little house that remains a domicile for a family. The third image is one I photographed in the warm months, when the vines, then green, covered it almost completely. The other day, in the late-afternoon sunlight, the green had gone, giving a different texture to the scene. The final two photos are simply things I liked, including a Christmas decoration. That last photo has no structure of any sort, just good farmland and sky. And if you look closely, there’s a windmill. They find their way into my images pretty often.

Right after arriving in Atlanta, in December 1980, I was assigned to work on a series about the state of mental health in the area for my employer, the Atlanta Journal & Constitution. One of the places visited was Atlanta’s Union Mission. Even though I’d just come from a much smaller city (Shreveport), the time spent photographing the street scene on Austin’s East 6th Street in the early 70s left me well-prepared for what I faced in Atlanta. Still, it was hard to see our fellow humans suffering. Some may have been just down on their luck, but mental health problems were the catalysts for much of this pain. All but the last image were taken at the mission. Afterward, I followed one of the mission’s temporary residents along Ponce de Leon Avenue for a while. It was sad then. It’s sad now.

Those of who who’ve followed my work for a while might remember a column written about the restoration of the historic Bartlett First Christian Church in the August Williamson County Sun.   The project is the brainchild of Huntsville resident Kris Ruiz, Associate Vice-President for Marketing and Communications at Sam Houston State University.   A while back, Ruiz purchased the 1890 church after it sat vacant for years.   Her goal?  To restore it and offer it to interested buyers as a unique home, or perhaps a community center.   Ruiz has a crew working steadily on this beautiful building, a structure  with really good bones.   Prior to taking the lead on the church,  Ruiz oversaw the revitalization of a vintage bank in Cumby, Texas.   It now serves as a unique home for its fortunate owners.   Earlier this week, on one of my evening wanderings, I drove by to see how things are going.   The crew was there, working well past sundown.  The exterior is looking close to completion.  I’ve no doubt the interior will be amazing, too.   Bartlett is a community of less than 2000 that straddles the Williamson and Bell County lines.  Ruiz has developed a passion for these small Texas communities.  Bartlett is fortunate she is taking the lead in their town!  

The fascination with birds in mass continues.   This wasn’t the planned subject tonight, but all I can say, every time I see these creatures is “wow.”   From what I can fathom, when they slow down long enough for a look, is that these avian wonders are grackles.  If in error, please advise.   It amazes me how they can fly so close together, so fast, and not ram one another into oblivion.  

It’s that time of year where you’ll be inundated with Christmas-themed  photos.  I hope that’s okay.  If not, I’d do it anyway.   These photos combine two events covered over last weekend for the Williamson County Sun, Swim With Santa, held at the Georgetown Parks Department’s Recreation Center indoor pool, and Breakfast With Santa, a happening coordinated by the Georgetown Fire Department and the Sun City Rotary Club.   Breakfast With Santa, a fundraiser for families in Williamson County at Christmas, enthralled attendees with plenty of pancakes, sausages and orange juice.   And a visit from Santa, too!    The little guy pictured twice at Breakfast With Santa was adorable!   And the family posing with Santa?   Mom and dad dressing as reindeer is just dang cool.  

A few photos from a recent bit of rambling around Beyersville, in southeast Williamson County, Texas.  Wandering through this area of the prairie is a visually-sensual experience.   For my first few years back in Texas, I didn’t give it a second look.   How could I have been so short-sighted? We learn, friends.   The grain elevator in two photos is one and the same.   The second-to-last image was made about 20 minutes ahead of sunset.  The last image, my preference, is perhaps 30 minutes past sunset.   Light lessons. 

One of the most tiring, but uplifting events I’ve covered for the past few years is Georgetown’s Blue Santa distribution.  Blue Santa, coordinated by the Georgetown Police Department, brings gift boxes to families in our area who might otherwise be left out during the holiday season.  1500 pre-screened  families were recipients this year.  One dad waiting for his family’s gift boxes was cradling his daughter, not quite 8-weeks-old.    There are always abundant volunteers willing to give back to their community.   Perhaps the sweetest moments seen each December are when the children pay a  visit to Santa Claus (blue, of course).   Here are a few images taken today for my friends at the Williamson County Sun.

On Wednesday night, after trolling around the countryside and not finding inspiration, I landed at Taylor’s Murphy Park, five minutes from home.   Murphy Park, as you might know, is home to the rookery that I love.  At this time of the year, however, the rookery is sparse.  That doesn’t mean there’s nothing to see.   This post begins with cormorants making their way across the lake on a night filled with cool air and clouds.  The rest of the photos, all utilizing a trusty tripod, are trees.   And a Waxing Crescent moon.   

On this old stuff Thursday here are some photos taken at Cumberland Mall in metro-Atlanta as the holiday shopping season began in earnest just after Thanksgiving in 1982.    Do people still go through this pain and stress in 2018?  Or are they online shoppers?   Amazon has changed the landscape, causing other big-box stores (think Wal-Mart) to either get on board or go under.    On a side note, back then it was nothing to walk into a mall like this with cameras and snap away.   The malls really seemed to welcome the free advertising.   As cities like Atlanta grew, however, things changed.  North of Cumberland Mall, a big player, Town Center Mall, opened its doors in Kennesaw.   You didn’t just walk in there with cameras.   If you did, without prior approval, there were mall security staff ready and willing to escort you back to your vehicle.   Thankfully, in later years at the Atlanta Journal & Constitution, I managed a good working relationship with Town Center.  Developing trust is something I’ve always tried to do, even when ornery!  

In the nine years I’ve been documenting Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, it finally came to me this week why it’s located in what’s called Wuthrich Hill.   If you look at the opening image, note the downward slant at left  along County Road 417.   Prince of Peace is most definitely on a hill!   In previous posts, I’ve felt the urge to level that horizon line, but the way you see it here is correct. A second photo from there is added to this post, one where a Waxing Crescent moon shines in the distance.  What you might see, or not, is the reflection of the church’s spire in one of the windows.   The final photo takes you back to Taylor,  on the same night, to St. James Episcopal Church, at the corner of 7th and Davis Street.   Sadly, one of its stained glass windows is missing.   I hope they replace it soon.  This church has been here since 1893.   The reflection of the church is actually the roof of my car.  Any prop will do when the result is pleasing.  Hopefully, it works for you, friends.